This
is lesson eleven in a 12 lesson Bible study for new believers and focuses on fellowship. This follow
up material covers the essentials of the Christian faith
including Jesus, the Bible, God's Word, God, assurances, and what God
expects of believers after they come to Christ. This study can be used
to teach new believers, to brush up on your Bible basics, or to study on
your own. The end of each lesson contains a list of
questions and Bible references for further study on the topic of that
lesson as well as a suggested memory verse. For more lessons in the
series, see the links at the bottom of this page. All lessons can be
printed, shared, copied, or distributed.

Discipleship Course - Lesson Eleven - Bible Study on Fellowship

The Christian life is not always easy. The
world is full of temptations and pressure to do wrong. If we try to “go it
alone” we will likely fall. If we hang out with the wrong crowd our fall into
sin is even more likely. In Proverbs 13:20 we learn, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will
suffer harm.” Peer pressure is very strong (1 Corinthians 15:33).

God knows
that we are weak and need all the help we can get in our Christian life. He uses our brothers and sisters in Christ to
strengthen us and help us to follow Him. The word we use for the relationship
we have with other believers is “fellowship” (Acts 2:42). We will look at
several aspects of this below.

Encouragement

Hebrews 10:24-25
says, “And let us consider how we may
spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another –
and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Believers should help
each other by encouraging one another. Encouragement here doesn’t only mean to
say “good job!” when another believer does well. It means to push each other on
to do right and grow.

Simple ways to
do this include sharing Scriptures, praying together, or giving practical
suggestions on how to grow, etc (Ephesians 5:19-20). In order to do this we
must meet together. We must often put ourselves in contact with other believers
so that we can both receive their encouragement and help them. We can meet at
church, Bible study, our homes, for lunch, or for sports.

Ecclesiastes
tells us that “two are better than one”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Two have a better return for their labor. They help each
other when one is weak. They can overcome together what they cannot overcome
apart.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.” To be
sharpened in our spiritual life we should form strong relationships with
brothers and sisters. This doesn’t mean

that we rely on people instead of God. We
always must rely on God first. People are not perfect and will disappoint us
sometimes, but two are still stronger than one and we are commanded to
fellowship together, sharpening each other’s relationship to God.

Make
sure you are regularly meeting with other believers. Use this time together
wisely and productively to encourage one another in the Lord. You will find it
very helpful for your spiritual growth and exciting to be a blessing to others
in the same way!

Rebuke

Encouragement is
the positive form that believers use to help each other and rebuking is the
negative form. Even if we are very committed and want to do right there will be
times when we fail. Luke 17:3b-4 says, “If
your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins
against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says ‘I
repent,’ forgive him.”

Fellowship can
be a “safety net” that keeps us from falling away from God. If we have no
fellowship there will be no one to correct us when we sin. But if we have
strong relationships with brothers and sisters they can rebuke us when we do
wrong. The rebuke may hurt, but it is for our protection and is far better than
falling into unchecked sin (James 5:19-20, Proverbs 27:6).

This works both
ways. We need to put ourselves around believers and be open to them when they
correct us or point out to us an area we should grow in. We also need to
exercise true love for others by kindly and gently doing the same for them (2
Timothy 2:25) This doesn’t mean we should be some sort of spiritual police and
go around looking to correct others. Love, not pride, should be our motivation.

The principle
here is accountability. 1 John 1:7 says, “But
if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another.” Throughout the Bible we see the importance of walking in the
light. That means we should be transparent and honest with others, welcoming
their suggestions and help.

Begin forming
this kind of close fellowship with other believers to ensure that you have a
solid safety net.

Comfort

Relationships
with believers can go much deeper than the normal worldly relationships. 2
Corinthians 1:3b-4 says, “the God of

all
comfort, who comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort

those
in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” Those who believe in God not only have a unique worldview, but they
also have experienced God’s love and mercy in a very special way. Because of
this they are better equipped to understand and then comfort other believers.

This is true not
only when a brother or sister is facing trouble, but also when things are going
well. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with
those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn.” When a believer is in
trouble, reach out with compassion to see how you can help. When they have good
news, rejoice together!

Serving with our Gifts

Ephesians
4:11-16 tells us that God has assigned some leaders with special gifts in the
church to “prepare God’s people for works
of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up, until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature.” (verse
12-13a) There should not be a division of workers and listeners in God’s
family. Rather, everyone is supposed to use his God-given gift to serve others
and build up the entire body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

Romans 12:4-5
says, “For just as we have many members in
one body and all the members do not have the same function, so in Christ we who
are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” The
body of Christ, the church, is made up of people from all kinds of backgrounds,
ages, cultures, etc, but each has a specific function. We are to use our
talents and abilities with all of our heart to help others and work together
towards the common goal of glorifying God and doing His will here on earth
(Romans 12:3-13)

So do not think
you have nothing to offer. Every believer has something to offer. It may not be
a very high-profile or public role, but it is vital for healthy fellowship.
Think about what you can do and start serving other believers today!

Bible Study 5: Fellowship

1. What should our attitude be towards
fellowship? (Acts 2:42)

2. How often should we encourage one another? Why? (Hebrews 3:13)

3. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and write down the four actions we are to take
towards other believers.

4. What attitude should we have towards
each other? (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians
3:13)

5. How long should we let a problem go on
with a brother or sister before we deal with it? (Ephesians 4:26-27, Matthew 5:23-24)

6. What should be our attitude in
communicating with others? (James
1:19-20)

7. How should we treat others? (Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Peter 4:9)

8. What kind of person will listen to
counsel? (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 12:15)

9. What are the benefits of listening to
rebuke? (Proverbs 15:31-32)

10. What should we do with our gifts,
talents, or abilities (1 Peter 4:10)